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The Hornets signed Lin last summer to a two-season, $4.3 million contract with a player option the second season. Lin clearly out-played that contract, averaging 11.7 points, three assistsand 3.2 rebounds. He often finished games alongside Walker as the team’s shooting guard.

Lin chose to opt out of the second season (which would have paid him just over $2 million), knowing he was likely in for a big raise and an opportunity to start elsewhere.